Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon, published by Koei Tecmo and due for release on 24th October, is perhaps still a little under the radar. Developed by GUST Studios, the RPG is a sequel to a 2016 release that some with a PS4 may know well.
Koei Tecmo's update on the game this week goes into two distinct areas; one is a cast trailer, which introduces some of the characters that'll pop up throughout the story. Check that out below.
In addition the press release goes into some of the mechanics and systems for battles and levelling up:

In Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon, players will encounter a number of unique and dastardly fiends and will have to rely on their close bonds with their companions to emerge victorious. The battle party will always be comprised of Aluche, the player’s character, an NPC of her choice, and up to two Servans. Each team member will bring a unique selection of skills to the equation, ranging from different fighting styles and weapons to the beautiful Lily Burst, a power-up that combines the extraordinary abilities of Aluche and her humanoid companion into one devastating blow.
Aluche’s Servan allies are also useful assets to the team, with their incredible Servan Actions, which can help turn the tide of battle in her favor! The invaluable Tricker types are able to gain an advantage by unleashing their elemental abilities, dealing critical status effects to their foes. One such Tricker is the mighty canine companion, Scharf, who sends electrified spheres onto the battlefield to paralyze and inflict lasting damage on enemies! Trickers can change form as they evolve, and can grow more powerful through Reincarnation, which drastically increases their stats, allowing them to access new types of attacks and unlock incredible abilities.
As for the player-controlled Aluche, she soon discovers that the blood of slain fiends can be used to heighten her body’s strength, and players are able to choose new abilities fitting their preferred play-style from a wide selection of varied combat styles!
It'll be interesting to see how this sequel fares, and whether the Switch audience jumps on board in decent numbers once October rolls around.
Comments 67
Wow, it impresses me that they would just make a game that looks like it has decent mechanics uninteresting by just oversexualizing everyone.
October 24th? OUCH! Not a very good release date for me with Odyssey coming out days later.
The cast trailer was super cheesy.
Definitely on my radar, I may not get it at launch but not too long after. It should tide me over till sk switch titles come.
This game looks great, but it baffles me that the publishers thought that competing directly with Mario Odyssey was a good idea. This game could have sold well at launch in almost any other month, but Mario is going to bury this game alive. The same way Splatoon 2 buried Fate/Extella. Third parties can do well on Ninty hardware, but not when they're directly competing with hugely anticipated first-party Nintendo titles.
@Ralizah I disagree that these games have much of an overlap in audience. Mario is Mario, and this game is a lesbian anime waifu game with arguably passable action RPG aspects. This game isn't going to be a million seller like Mario no matter when it releases. It's a niche title. Same thing with Fate Extella Umbral Star. The game didn't exactly receive rave reviews. It's a mediocre musou game. The people that especially like these types of games have much better to look forward to with the likes of Dynasty Warriors 9 and Fire Emblem Warriors.
@Ralizah
A couple of differences.
1. Splatoon shines in multiplayer, extella is for more single player
2. Mario may be a good franchise but a little too kiddy, Azure is more for mature gamers (and it suits my tastes in absence of a sk or VD game for switch)
Not a big fan of fan service but these games are very good so I'm overlooking it. Already have this in preorder.
Looked interesting, but then I watched the trailer.
Wow. I might pick this up but only if I have money left after Odyssey and it's amiibos. #Priorities
@greengecko007 Broadly, in terms of the entire population, these games don't have much of an overlapping demographic, but I'm willing to bet there is a larger overlap than you might thing with the primarily hardcore Nintendo fans who own the Switch at this point. That crowd, of which I am also a part, also tends to love Japanese games and RPGs. There's a reason Disgaea 5 Complete sold so well on Switch before it even released.
I never said it would be a "million seller," but I wouldn't be surprised if it lost thousands of sales due to the timing of the release. As you know, games tend to sell best upon release, which is why timing the release date of a game to not overlap with something massively popular is critical.
There are a lot of people like me who would be happy to play the game, but who will also choose Mario Odyssey over it.
@GameOtaku sigh
1. True, but the point is that the small install base who would have flocked to Extella were fixated on Splatoon instead. It's about the timing of the release, and it's the reason smart publishers don't often release anything around the release dates of giant games like GTA, Pokemon, etc. Same principle applies here.
2) No, Mario is not "kiddy" and Yoru no Nai Kuni 2 is not "mature." A game is not "mature" because it had lesbian vampires in it, and I guarantee you that a large majority of the people buying Mario Odyssey at launch will be 18+.
I can make time for all games
There were a lot of things exposed in that trailer, but game play was not one of them. Boo, hiss.
@Ralizah
Having vampire lesbians helps it to get a mature rating though (and possibly other physics engines too). I'm happy to see Nintendo has learned the error of their ways to allow games such as this on their platforms rather than be stick in the muds to their usual kid friendly approach.
@Ralizah Even if you believe there is cause for concern about overlap with target audiences, with the game releasing across multiple systems there is no way for this game to avoid releasing near another major or better game, no matter when it would come out.
Additionally, it doesn't really matter if you choose to buy this game a month or two down the line after Mario Odyssey, especially if you purchase a physical copy (which I assume you would be if you're going for the Switch version).
Probably top 3 of most wanted games this year for me, already pre-ordered. Although Mario comes out that month this will still get lots of my attention as something to break away from the 1st party titles.
I like the art style for this game. Probably wont get it since its next to Mario Oddyssey but if I am running low on games I want to play, i'd try this.
@greengecko007 I guess we'll see. I'm just hoping this doesn't nuke the Switch version's sales and discourage that publisher from releasing non-Nintendo themed releases on the Switch.
....I still need to finish the first one...but that would require me turning my Ps4 back on...lol. Can't wait to pick this up in October.
@GameOtaku Nintendo only does kiddy games? Since when?
You make it sound like kid friendly games are a bad thing. If people want hi def boobs they can go to another console, Nintendo does not need this game.
@Kalmaro
It's not necessarily a bad thing, but I think they need to have a broad array of games even those that are not geared to a younger audience which Nintendo has generally been in the past though as of late that has begun to change. (Look at Twintail in ARMS for example or the zero suit and Camilla)!
@GameOtaku How have their games been geared towards a younger audience exactly?
Can't wait for this to release. I didn't play the first game much, but mainly because I had too many other games to play, and I never actually bought it, just played it at a friend's place.
I guess I'm one of the few who won't be grabbing the Mario game xD
@Kalmaro
Well for one thing they shy away from blood in almost every capacity on their games. Of course back when I started gaming they were horrible about censorship (take the snes port of fatal fury censoring Mai, or removal of crosses and other religious symbols.) Arms may be geared to all audiences but its core seems to be to appeal to kids (bright colored outfits and stretchy arms like one piece Luffy). And saying Nintendo doesn't need games like this can also go both ways, there's a Hank Jr song that has a phrase I take to heart in cases like this "why can everybody else leave everybody else alone, you do your thing and we"ll do our thing too" just because it's not your taste, cup of tea (or coffee) doesn't mean it shouldn't exist.
@Kalmaro Here I thought Nintendo made games for people of all ages.
Guess I was wrong. Nintendo is for kids it seems.
@Ralizah It's hard to avoid launching within the same time frame as a high-profile release, especially if you consider the other platforms. Even just focusing on Nintendo, I can't think of any time in 2017 when they wouldn't be launching against some bigger game. Right now you have ARMS and Splatoon 2, next month is Skyrim - which is even more directly competing for this game's target audience.
Unfortunately, this is one of the legitimate reasons many third parties are reluctant to port to Nintendo systems. Every company knows that a game on a Nintendo machine is always going to fight an uphill battle against Ninty's own games. The majority of people who own only Nintendo devices are fans of Nintendo first and foremost.
But I do think there is enough of a difference in target markets that Azure 2 stands a chance at some decent sales. I'm sure I'm not the only one who doesn't feel a need to buy Mario Odyssey the week it launches. It's a Mario game, it's going to stick around forever. So while I do want Odyssey eventually, there's a pretty good chance I'll buy Azure 2 first.
(I still have to buy Fate/Extella too. Splatoon 2 won the buy-it-first race for a few reasons, but I still really want F/E, and it will probably be the next game I buy.)
@GameOtaku I don't think that graphics automatically make a game mean for kids. If that's what you really saying.
@greengecko007 I liked Fate/Extella, think it was great. Besides, I'd say Musou lovers can never have enough Musou.
Ok, I'm worried about FE Warriors, will really come on November? After Mario? Or will we have to wait until 2018?
@Kalmaro
Nintendo has been traditionally views as a just for kids kinda company. Mario Odyssesy got an E10 and Zelda T but none of Nintendos games have ever got an M rating. I'd LOVE to see a darker grittier Zelda or an IP just for mature audiences. Dont get me wrong Mario is a good series and I enjoy it but between it or Yuri vampire musou I'll pick Yuri vampire musou.
@UmniKnight I enjoy musou games myself, but Umbral Star looks like crap to me. But hey, if you enjoyed Umbral Star, that's perfectly fine. Different peeps like different things.
@GameOtaku "Dont get me wrong Mario is a good series and I enjoy it but between it or Yuri vampire musou I'll pick Yuri vampire musou."
Well, your username checks out! ;D
Nothing wrong with that though. For a more serious response, I can somewhat understand wanting to some games from Nintendo with older audiences in mind, but I really don't think using already established IPs for that is a good idea. As an example of a series you used, Zelda doesn't need to be knocking on the same door as something like The Witcher. Zelda has its own place.
@JasmineDragon I loved F/E. It's currently tied for my favorite Switch game with Zelda, but then again I am a weird person who can't get enough games made primarily for Japanese audiences. I don't believe that I can get the same experience from a western developed game, eastern developed games just have this unique charm to them . F/E cemented my belief that most games touched by Marvelous and XSeed are pure gold.
Heck before F/E I was going to give this a pass, but after F/E I've been reminded of my love for eastern developed games, and will keep a close eye on this game.
@GameOtaku I believe you are in the minority there, and that's probably why Nintendo doesn't focus on games like that. They want games to bring people together. Not games you have to play your behind a locked door so your kids don't see.
@Kalmaro
Really now? I'd bet the top ranked players on Doom and CoD are kids 6-12 years old. Different strokes for different folks I guess but I don't run and hide what I like. Sure kids shouldn't play games like that but isn't that supposed to be the parents job to supervise their children from asking for said games. A whole niche gaming market shouldn't have to suffer just because a game relies on fanservice and musou gameplay (yes even I admit musou has been done way too much) is afraid it might offend someone.
@GameOtaku I kind of agree with you on some points but we have to remember what Nintendo's goal is. They want games to bring people together. I can't think of many families that would come together to experience Nights of Azure.
And when I said you were in the minority, I meant of people who would pick sexy vampire mosou VS mario
@Kalmaro
Would kids really understand what is going on onscreen. This is not Senran Kagura level fanservice here this is way more tame. It may not bring family together but it can bring friends together just to watch the sheer ridiculousness of the game. And that's really my point first and foremost tgey are too concerned about making their games suitable for families with kids so they take lots down for it. I mean instead of Ganon saying "Curse you" why not "Damn you"?
@GameOtaku You think THIS is tame? Have you seen the way they dress in the videos of this game?
I'm any case, making games accessible to the family is what makes Nintendo who they are, asking them to stop being themselves is odd. If you want them to be Sony or Microsoft, why not just play on their consoles?
@Kalmaro
In senran kagura clothes come off as you take damage. In all the videos I've seen tgey have clothing. It's like when Nintendo censored swimsuits in TMS#FE or not allowing the beach dlc for fire emblem, what was the point? Obviously they made it to appeal to a niche crowd and Japan is far more strict I've heard than here in the states.
@GameOtaku in this game they are barely wearing clothes to begin with, and they even have swimsuits they can wear that are actually a part of the story. Take a look.
@Kalmaro
At least it's done with the story in mind, for a purification ritual that involves water. Wouldn't make sense to go into the water wearing a battle dress or heavy armor now would it.
I'd take Fire Emblem Warriors over this any day!
@GameOtaku When I think of a type of purification ritual involving water, I don't typically envision women wearing bikinis. What's worse, they are practically more clothed wearing them than in their normal attire. I really wonder if you've seen all the footage for the games and have got a sense of what they look like.
Just because something is story related does not suddenly make it fit in a game. My point is that this kind of stuff is not what the majority of people interested in Nintendo are wanting, so I don't understand why you are suggesting we need more of this.
@Kalmaro
I thought they wanted to bring people together? They would be fools not to try to get all types of gamers under their umbrella. Just because you don't like it for whatever reason doesn't mean that l shouldn't get enjoyment out of games like it. Honestly it's cg generated women, they are not real and can have ridiculous bouncy physics and it shouldn't offend anyone. Both mainline SK games gave been on Nintendo 3ds I'd i would highly recommend them even if you are not into fanservice, the story is really well done.
@GameOtaku A lot of your arguments fall flat when compared to other mediums of communication. I'm sure if something started shouting obscenities at you and then used the excuse "They are just sound waves" you would still be upset. If something wrote offensive material I'm a newspaper about you and then defended it by saying "it's just ink on paper" you'd still be upset.
It does not matter where offensive material is, or how it is shown, the point is that they are delivering messages that people are not comfortable with. So now one has to ask: Which makes more sense for a company trying to bring the family together? A game that would only appeal to a small percentage of gamers due to offenses material or a game that is more geared towards the typical family.
You yourself mentioned that you play other games that aren't raunchy like this, so you've basically already answered my question.
@Kalmaro
People can shout obscenities at me and it really shouldn't affect you they are just words. Liable is a different matter apples and oranges. By not allowing more content like this on the platform you are essentially discriminating against niche gamers. Bayonetta was raunchy and mature but it made it to Nintendo platforms and sold really well. Well they could always go back to the 1940s era of policing swimsuits for being too revealing and men having long hair would be considered grubby or awful looking where the comics code exists so we would have nothing but good squeaky clean camp!
@GameOtaku I think you are being dishonest about you lack of care about words being 'just words'. Words carry meanings. Now, Bayonetta did actually do pretty well, definitely no denying that. However, when we talk about Bayonetta, the first game was a port and the second game was not made by Nintendo, though they did publish it. This is all beside the point though.
My point is that Nintendo makes games for everyone and that includes those niche gamers. You seem to be saying that Nintendo should instead focus on those niche gamers, since Nintendo wants to appeal to everyone. However, they already make games for everyone, so I am not understanding what your complaint is.
@Kalmaro
It's simple I don't offend easily. Words are just words, sure they may hurt but I'm not going to strike at someone for it. I'm a pretty chill laid back guy.
If they allow 3rd parties to do this sort of thing on their platforms then why not join in and cash in on the market? I personally don't see anything wrong with this type of game, kids shouldn't have access to it but neither should it be banned simply because it may step on some sensitive toes.
@GameOtaku The problem is, when you say things like 'should', you're evoking some kind of authority that you just don't have. You can't really say what Nintendo should do. All we know is that their goal is to appeal to as many people as possible. So they focus on family friendly stuff. Third party developers can handle those niches out there. Nintendo has a goal and it is unique to them. Trying to get them to change is asking them to lose their identity.
@Kalmaro
They could change some of their stringent censorship culture. If it ok for one country who is fairly strict (Japan really is strict on this sort of thing believe it or not) then it should be ok in other territories that are not.
@Kalmaro We need more of this because Nintendo already have Family Game Night covered to death. On both 3DS and Switch, they have dozens of titles on shelves now and upcoming that are suitable for all ages. You want karting, platforming, PG-rated adventure, shooters that don't involve killing, fighters without fatalities, more platforming, some puzzles, maybe a cooking minigame collection or two? Boy, does Nintendo have something for you.
Want some single-player action gaming with questionable characters wearing questionable outfits? Not so much, maybe you'd rather buy an XBox. I hear those guys like that kind of thing.
Don't get me wrong, I love the family games. I buy mostly games that my daughters can play and that I wouldn't mind random people seeing when I play on the train. Nintendo do that stuff like nobody else, and that's a big part of why I buy Nintendo. But that doesn't mean every single title needs to be like that. There's plenty of room for fanservicey games like this on the Switch, and currently very few options.
@GameOtaku When you say Japan is strict, what are you referring to? I know NOA pushes for a lot of censorship but Japan is pretty chill when it comes to most things we would find taboo. Take this game for instance...
@JasmineDragon "Want some single-player action gaming with questionable characters wearing questionable outfits?"
I find your comment and your profile pic very ironic.
@Kalmaro
I've heard recently that games line that actually have to pass a more stringent rating policy than here with the esrb. And like @JasmineDragon said there's plenty of room for titles line this so why not partake in the money making as well after all I may still enjoy family friendly titles but I do like a healthy dose of fanservice!
Is this another game like Hyrule Warriors, FATE/Extella, Fire Emblem Warriors? I'm kinda fed up on those, and I still have tons to do in Hyrule Warriors. I wish they would put out more traditional, modern, or quirky Japanese RPGs instead of flooding us with Warriors/Musou hack'n'slays. I'd also wish they'd have at least one gameplay or tutorial trailer.
I'm on the edge right now, as I never played a game with female vampires that go about protecting, loving, and biting each other. I'm hesistant because it's part 2. Do I need to play the first game in the series before this, or will I understand all the story and characters if I jump into the series with the Switch one?
@Kalmaro But even the minority has a place. Even these games have a place, just as much as horror has a place, or violence with tons of blood and gore, or the "kiddy" games, or the shooters.
Like many would say, if they're not for you, don't pay attention to them.
@Kalmaro Touché! But still.
@GameOtaku If you want fanservice then fine, we have third parties for that. My point has been that those games don't fit Nintendo's model so it makes sense that Nintendo does not make them.
@UmniKnight "Like many would say, if they're not for you, don't pay attention to them."
That's kind of my point. These games don't fit Nintendo's goals. They essentially are 'not for nintdndo', so why should Nintendo pay attention to them? So far, they haven't really, they've just let third party developers deal with it, and I'm fine with that.
@Kalmaro All I'm saiyan, is don't condemn them if they do make something like that. Though they arguably never will, aside from Zero Suit Samus getting as close to that as can, because they've an image that clashes with that.
@UmniKnight I would condemn them, as it does not fit with the goals and mission statement they said they follow. You are right though, they likely wouldn't never do that to begin with.
@Kalmaro
Why condemn them if they was to cater to the mature crowd? As Nintendo they have never (to my knowledge) had an M rated game. If they are appealing to gamers of all ages it would make sense to have games like this on the platform. I'm not sure of your age but Nintendo used to be unapologetically biased to mature content, heck they even removed one fatality in primal rage on the snes which is still featured in the Genesis version which is why most gamers at the time wanting to play MK or Primal Rage went with Sega. I've never been a fan of "well I don't like it so if I don't like it then you shouldn't have access to it either" mentality. If Nintendo was to create a mature IP I'd embrace it, games like this are not supposed to bring young kids to it but as kids grow up their tastes change, so why not?
@GameOtaku I think you're confusing their goal. They are not trying to make a game for a demographic. They are trying to make a game that can br played by each demographic at once. That way, they are hitting the max amount of people per game. What you suggesting is that they split their focus.
@Kalmaro
But they are splitting the demographic. Zelda us T for teens and up, not for kids of a younger age, Mario is E for everyone it's content is appropriate for all so there's definitely a split in demographic even in Nintendo IP.
@GameOtaku I'd say that the T rating is mostly arbitrary and they didn't have much of a choice. The game can still be played pretty much by most age groups, with the main limitation being understanding the text. Still, even if that did 'split' the demographic, we are talking about a small portion of the gamers that couldn't play, verses what you are suggesting which would single out a small portion of gamers who actually would play the game.
@Kalmaro
Still it's kinda my point. When I hear "all ages" it should include "ALL" ages not just a one size fits all version. I don't like reality tv shows but they have there audience so why I won't partake I know they have a place. What's the difference between fangirls playing Zelda as shirtless Link and gaming males like me playing a game with girls in skimpy outfits?
@GameOtaku Well the goal is to get the family together, and Zelda certainly can do that. It's one of those games that it is fun to watch and play.
Fangirls playing as shirtless link and dudes playing as girls I'm skimpy outfits are two completely different things due to how our culture works in general. Nintendo did not go out of their way to may link shirtless to please anyone, it was just to be realistic most likely. There's nothing realistic about how the women dress in this game, it's pure fanservice.
@Kalmaro
But that's just it there should be no difference depending on gender as far as fanservice goes! Unrealistic depiction of makes just like that of female characters! Who cares?! It doesn't bug me to see unrealistic portrayals of masculinity, but it could be perceived as offensive to some which makes it so ridiculous!
I am very much looking forward to this game.
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